Highlight Reel: What do Justin Bieber and DJ Khaled have in common with Shaq, Gareth Bale, and Serena Williams? 🤔
This week's top stories feature TMRW Sports, Macklemore, Serie A, DAZN, DFL, NFL, Atlanta Falcons, and F1 Arcade
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Welcome to the Highlight Reel, where keeping up to date with sports business news is as popular as taking your yacht to Monaco for the Grand Prix weekend.
This week's lineup includes…
TMRW Sport Extends its Social Footprint into the Billions ⛳️
Is it Time to Ditch the Traditional Broadcast Model? 📺
DFL to Ditch Private Equity Media Rights Conversations ⚽️
NFL Expands Marketing Project in Europe to France and Ireland 🏈
F1 Arcade to Open US Venue as Part of Ambitious Expansion Plan 🏎
Thanks to everyone who liked last week’s Highlight Reel!
TMRW Sport Extends Social Footprint into the Billions ⛳️
What do Justin Bieber and DJ Khaled have in common with Shaquille O'Neal, Gareth Bale, and Serena Williams?
They’re all investors in TMRW Sports – the sports, media and entertainment company co-founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and industry veteran, Mike McCarley.
The company, whose first venture is set to be a Monday night golf competition called the TGL in partnership with the PGA Tour, has developed an incredible roster of golf-obsessed, celebrity investors who can help introduce the game to a whole new audience.
With the latest additions of Bieber, DJ Khaled, Macklemore, Jake Owen, and Darius Rucker, TMRW Sports social media footprint now exceeds 1 billion followers.
READ MORE: Macklemore perhaps best exemplifies the bridge between golf and popular culture. In 2021, the rapper launched his own golf-inspired clothing brand called Bogey Boys to ‘push the boundaries of on-court style’.
Is it Time to Ditch the Traditional Broadcast Model? 📺
Napoli’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has called for Serie A to ditch its traditional broadcast model and deliver matches straight to consumers, warning that rampant piracy and waning interest threaten the future of the sport.
He believes that the league should instead take control of their own broadcast production and then have their matches streamed via the likes of Netflix or Amazon Prime in order to maximise distribution.
He’s not alone in his thinking. Many rights holders are in the process of evaluating how to package and offer their products as the traditional model of receiving a big cheque from a pay-TV company for multiyear deal comes under increasing threat.
READ MORE: A study has found the broadcaster DAZN has stimulated significant growth across all aspects of the women’s game through its decision to broadcast the UEFA Women’s Champions League for free on YouTube… Streaming to YouTube to enhance distribution was also a topic I previously covered for JohnWallStreet.
DFL to Ditch Private Equity Media Rights Conversations ⚽️
The DFL (Deutsche Fussball Liga) has halted conversations to sell a stake in its media rights to private equity after the body failed to secure the two thirds majority of the 36 Bundesliga clubs needed to proceed.
The plan could have helped the league raise as much as €2 billion ($2.1 billion) and would have followed in the footsteps of LaLiga, who agreed to a sale of 8.2% of its media rights business in 2021, and Ligue 1, who sold a 13% stake worth €1.5 billion ($1.65 billion) last year.
However, critics in Germany have argued any similarly structured deal would largely benefit the teams already at the top and would allow ‘ruthless’ investors into their decision-making circles.
NFL Expands Marketing Project in Europe to France and Ireland 🏈
The NFL has announced the growth of its Global Markets Program for year two, adding new clubs and new markets including France and the Republic of Ireland.
With the additions of the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, twenty-one clubs will now participate in the program across 14 international markets, up from 19 across 10 markets last year.
The program, which grants clubs specific international markets for marketing, fan engagement and commercialisation activations, seeks to enable the NFL franchises to build their brands globally and driving fan growth beyond the US.
F1 Arcade to Open US Venue as Part of Ambitious Expansion Plan 🏎
Formula 1 has announced the launch of its first F1 Arcade venue based in the US, part of an ambitious plan to launch more than 20 in the country over the next five years.
Set to open at Boston Seaport in early 2024, the new location aims to capitalise on the sport’s continued growth in the US, which has become the leading market for followers on F1’s social media channels thanks to a year-on-year increase of 45% from 2022.
That’s not the only momentum behind it, either. The flagship venue in London, which combines racing simulation games with a premium food and drink offering, has received over 100k visitors since it opened in November.
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JOB BOARD
Commercial Partnerships Manager (Tennis) - IMG Arena (London, UK)
Associate Manager, Business Analytics - Dream11 (Mumbai, India)
General Manager, Player Development & Wellbeing - Australian Cricketers’ Association (Melbourne, Australia)
Tour & Operations (Events) Manager - Professional Bull Riders (Queensland, Australia)
Global Sports Marketing Coordinator - Nike (Beaverton, US)
Associate, Partner Solutions - Legends (Chicago, US)
Director of Athlete Marketing - Professional Fighters League (New York, US)
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